While the match may have lacked the intensity and fan support rivals from different schools may bring to a final, it certainly delivered on the quality-of-play end of it.

In the end Saad, a freshman, overcame his senior teammate's comeback bid to win 6-3, 7-6 (2) and began his own legacy at Wyomissing.

He became the first freshman to win the title since 1998 when Wilson's Rajeev Emany won the first of his four titles with a memorable three-set victory over teammate Kyle Bailey.

At just 14, Saad is pretty much the complete package, possessing balanced and solid groundstrokes, a high-percentage serve and the decision-making qualities of a player much older.

He stayed in control of Thursday's final for the most part, only wavering a bit after he had three match points at 5-2, 40-love of the second set. He lost that game and eight match points before taking out a weary Simon in the tiebreaker.

Saad lost some of his aggression and perhaps some of his nerve with the big lead, and Simon played steadily. But Saad steadied himself and the long week finally caught up with Simon.

"On those clutch points, on those really tight points Zach just grinded so well," Saad said. "He refused to let me win the points. He didn't give me the match. I had to take it."

While Saad cruised through the tournament with straight-set triumphs, Simon, playing the some of the best tennis of his career, advanced with three-set victories over teammate Dan Malloy and Conrad Weiser's Mike Meyer.

Saad joined the Spartans, the defending state team champions, and moved right to the top of their talented lineup.

He was no stranger to the Spartans and, in particular, to Simon, who has been instructed for years by Saad's father, Ricardo, who was a standout player and national coach in his native Argentina before coming to states.

"I've literally spent more hours on the court with him than anybody else," said Simon. "Like 95 percent of the time when I'm playing tennis, he's there."

"Zach knows my game so well," said Saad. "I didn't expect an easy match from the beginning. I knew he was going to do everything he could to keep me from winning, but I guess I had the edge today.

"I've been hearing about this so much and it's finally my time. I'm glad. One for four."

Saad and Malloy later defeated Simon and Grimm 6-3, 6-4 to win flight one doubles.